The Angel of Death

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Two

I was just as shocked as anyone when Percy and Will climbed through Jason's window during the middle of the night, but I was also sort of touched. And very relieved. They told me everything had been going alright at camp, just busy. Everyone was training more than usual, and without Chiron and Mr. D to tell everyone what to do, everyone had been looking to the older campers for guidance; mainly Percy and Annabeth.

Percy had confessed to me in private later when I was helping him set up in one of the spare rooms for the night that that was part of the reason he'd come to Gotham in the first place, was to get a bit of a break.

"It's always something with the Gods," he said, sitting on the bed as though he'd deflated. "Kinda makes me wonder how the world hasn't ended yet." I knew he was trying to make a joke, so I tried to humour him, but the both of us were too tired of the god's shit to really find it funny.

"Are you sure you've been okay here, by yourself, Nico?" He asked.

"Percy, for the last time, I'm fine. And I'm not alone. The Waynes take good care of me."

He sighed. "I know, it's just...I worry. Everything has been going to shit lately, so at least you got something good out of it. Goodnight, Nico."

"Good night, Percy."

Later that night, unable to sleep, I wandered downstairs to get a snack and nearly jumped out of my skin when Jason appeared around the corner of the kitchen, a fork and a tray of microwave macaroni dinner in his hands. It looked like he'd just come back from patrol, if the bruise around his neck was anything to go by.

"Jason!" I whispered. "What are you doing in here?"

"Eating microwaved macaroni." He gave me a tired look and swallowed his mouthful. "'Cause I deserve it, bitch!" He raised his hand with the fork in a little dance, muttering 'yasss, queen' under his breath.

I squinted at him. "Are...you okay? Did you hit your head or something?"

"Drugs," Jason answered, very matter-of-factly, nodding his head sagely and stuffing more noodles in his mouth.

"You're...high? I don't understand what you mean."

Jason rolled his eyes and gestured at me with a forkful of food. "That's cuz your boyfriend always fixes you before you need the drugs. My boyfriend doesn't have magic powers." He thought for a moment before he smiled slyly. "Well, not magic healing powers."

"Oh my gods, gross." Jason laughed. "So you're on what, pain relievers? Pretty strong stuff."

"Oh yeah. Snitches get bitches, baby. Wait...stitches get bitches? Bitches...what?"

"Okay, let's get you to bed, yeah? I think you've had enough food. We'll save the rest for tomorrow, okay?" Jason didn't protest as I carefully took the tray and utensil from his hands and set them on the counter, before taking him gently by the arm and leading him back upstairs and to his room.

"Where's bitchy cousin guy?" Jason asked, looking around like he'd be able to see Percy lurking against a wall or something.

I sighed. "Percy is staying at the end of the hall. He and Will are going home in the morning. We can't risk attracting attention."

Jason only hummed in response. Whatever meds probably Alfred had given him had really done a number. He flopped onto his bed as soon as we were close enough, effectively pulling me down with him. Turning over so I was stuck between the wall and him, with both his arms around me like a vise. "Jason, what are you doing? Let me go," I laughed, squirming. He just held on tighter.